How long do I cook a two pound meatloaf

How long do I cook a two pound meatloaf

How long do I cook a two pound meatloaf is a question with several answers! Make no mistake; it's a very important question, especially since the combination of ingredients and ground meat(s) can make it very hard sometimes to judge when it is done by looking or sticking with toothpicks!

Two pounds is a fairly good sized meatloaf, and it will require considerable time, no matter your method.  I cover it with aluminum foil (like Reynold's Wrap non-stick) for about an hour and ten minutes, with the oven set at 375 degrees F. Uncover it and continue cooking for about 20 minutes more.

Some people may cook it at 400 degrees for a shorter time; others don't cover it. But my method gives me good success, and covering it prevents a hardened or burnt "crust" on the outside of the meatloaf and keeps the meatloaf moist.

Meatloaf tips

Here are some tips for healthier, tastier, and less expensive meatloaf:

• Add regular oatmeal (like Quaker Old Fashioned) to your meat to stretch the meat and make it go farther, as well as adding the health benefits of fiber.
• Cracker or bread crumbs stretches your meat as well, but does not contain the fiber of the oatmeal.
• Another tasty addition is lentils (a type of bean): these will blend well with the taste and texture of the meat and adds fiber and nutrition, as well as stretching the dollar.
• Make a simple sauce of tomato sauce, ketchup, seasonings (try basil, oregano, or go a different direction with sage), Worscheshire sauce -- or get creative. Add the sauce: a little during mixing, pour it on and around the loaf before baking, and spoon a little more on when you remove the aluminum foil.

Remember, to answer the question, how long do I cook a two pound meatloaf, you have to know two things: the oven temperature and whether you will cover the meatloaf. Start with my method of covering with aluminum foil for about 1 hour and ten minutes, and the cook for about 20 minutes more, uncovered. Once you have the hang of cooking a meatloaf, you can try adjusting the temperature to speed up the baking time.

Enjoy!